Heritage Train to Fenwick Grove: Pumpkin Picking Local at Bil-Dol Farm

On crisp autumn afternoons in Woodstown, New Jersey, the Pumpkin Picking Local pairs a short heritage-rail journey with a classic farm harvest. Board the beautifully restored Deluxe Table Car "Mineral Springs" at Penton Station for a roughly 20-minute roundtrip through Salem County to Fenwick Grove, then spend about 40 minutes choosing a pick-your-own pumpkin, playing fall-themed games, and taking photos along Fenwick Creek. Allow roughly 60 minutes for the full experience so it fits neatly into a day at Bil-Dol Farm while leaving time for other activities. The car itself is a highlight: built in 1927, Mineral Springs retains period tables and two swivel lounge chairs, a modest galley, and seating for groups, which makes it comfortable for families and small parties. Steam locomotive #9 is scheduled to operate many departures, so riders get the low, mechanical rhythm of steam-era motive power and the occasional horn at public grade crossings. Fenwick Creek's marsh edges and open fields roll past the windows, offering clear sightlines for family photos and short wildlife spotting - herons and the occasional deer are possibilities during calm afternoons. This offering is an add-on exclusively for Bil-Dol Farm guests and represents a small, living chapter of regional transportation and agricultural culture maintained by Woodstown Central Railroad (WCRR). For children the combination of a vintage railcar, a working pumpkin patch, and seasonal activities creates an accessible and memorable introduction to both farming rhythms and railroad heritage. Practical notes matter: check in at the Penton Flag Stop during your Bil-Dol Farm registration, arrive early, and dress in layers - the train can be breezy and the patch is exposed to sun and wind. There are restrooms on the train and a port-o-potty at South Woodstown Station, but the historic rolling stock does not meet contemporary ADA standards, so plan accordingly. Engineers must sound horns at grade crossings; if anyone in your party is noise-sensitive, bring ear protection - WCRR mentions this requirement in safety notices. Tickets are nonrefundable, departures run on fixed schedules, and reboarding after a train leaves is not allowed; these constraints keep operations smooth and preserve the historic equipment. Photographers should aim for late afternoon light along Fenwick Creek or close-in details of the Mineral Springs interior; capture locomotive silhouettes at crossings and candid family moments in the patch. Book through the Bil-Dol Farm check-in process to guarantee seats in the Deluxe Table Car; for groups, private bookings of the car are offered when available. The Pumpkin Picking Local compresses heritage rail, creek views, and farm play into a tidy hour that feels both effortless and genuinely local - a compact autumn outing worth adding to any South Jersey itinerary. Reserve early on busy fall weekends to avoid sold-out departures and guarantee pumpkin selection.